The Resurrection Lily – Lycoris squamigera is one of those plants touched with enchantment. Like larger daffodils, its leaves appear in early spring, die, and disappear by the first of July.
Then, usually in August, as if in obedience to a wizard’s command (so rapidly do they develop), naked flower stalks, 2′ to 3′ feet high.
The Lycoris amaryllis pushes through with solid will and produces a cluster of 5 to 10 rosy-pink, sweet-scented blossoms in less than a week.
Lycoris Plant – The Amaryllis Relative
Lycoris is in the amaryllis family and was long known as Amaryllis halli. The name Lycoris comes from the mistress of Mark Antony and a Roman actress.
It’s been called the resurrection lily because it seems to die and live again. It’s also known as the surprise lily or magic lily because the flower stalk and buds seem to come so suddenly.
Reference books, the older ones, give misleading information about the Lycoris Squamigera plant. When botanists first came upon it, they had difficulty placing it in its proper category.
Not knowing resurrection lily bulbs were hardy, early authorities wrote their plant care instructions as if for a tender plant. But, although it resembles other lycoris varieties in form and structure, it differs from them in one significant way.
Lycoris Squamigera Difference – It’s Hardy!
Many of the lycoris bulbs (red spider lily) are tender and must be treated as greenhouse subjects in the north. Lycoris squamigera is hardy and can be suitable for planting in northern gardens.
Grow Where Daffodils Grow
It will do well in any location daffodils grow. On Long Island (N. Y.), it has been massed, planted, and flowered beautifully year after year without being disturbed. Growers in other northern locations report similar results.
When To Plant Lycoris Bulbs
Lycoris squamigera bulbs are available in late summer and early fall and should be planted then. They should be spaced one foot apart as they multiply fast once established.
What is the amaryllis planting depth? The proper planting depth of Lycoris may vary with locality. I was told to plant bulbs 4” inches deep, but none bloomed until the bulbs grew up to the surface.
Now I plant with the neck of the bulb just below the surface and cover the barely-showing tips over winter with twigs and branches.
Reputation as Uncertain Bloomer
The hardy amaryllis has a reputation as an uncertain bloomer. I suspect the uncertainty is due to planting depth.
Several Virginia gardeners report that bulbs planted deeper produce good leaf growth but no bloom.
A New England reader shared that it is necessary to plant the bulbs 8 inches deep, then says hers did not bloom until their fifth year.
The exact relationship may exist between the rate of bulb increase and planting depth that we have with daffodils and tulips, but I have been unable to verify that.
Where Does Lycoris Squamigera Grow
The hardy amaryllis is reportedly thoroughly hardy in the New England states. It does well in the Chicago area. It flourishes in many localities along the Gulf.
It is reputed to do much better in this country than in England, which may indicate that it dislikes too much summer moisture. Good drainage is probably essential to it. I’ve seen the best results from planting on a wooded hillside.
For the prettiest effects, Lycoris should be planted with flowers or shrubs that will cover its bare stalk with their foliage which will also set off the lovely blossoms to advantage.
Propagating & Collecting Squamigera Bulbs
Bulb collectors have reported harvesting several buckets of Lycoris from a single planting.
The rate of increase varies, presumably depending upon several factors. Three “clumps” lifted from the edge of woodland after eight years averaged a dozen bulbs to each original bulb.
More than half of the 36 bulbs were of flowering size, but none was as significant as the original bulb.
Bulbs planted in the open and lifted after six years averaged only three to the original bulb.
Bulbs transplanted a year after planting showed no sign of increase.
Pest and Problems
So far, I have seen no reports of insect pests, but I watch bulbs for the possible presence of Spanish moths.
The larvae of that moth sometimes destroy considerable plantings of hymenocallis and other near relatives of the hardy amaryllis.
The amount of attention needed to guard against this one possible danger is negligible, and the flower is well worth many times the care.
14468 by NA